Thesis Seminar (10cr)

Evaluation scale

Approved/Rejected

Objective

After completion of the seminar the student is able to
- outline the different phases of the thesis process
- develop the theoretical and methodological perspective of the thesis
- present one's research and defend it orally
- comment on and evaluate other's research
- conduct a literature review.

Execution methods

Compulsory participation in the research seminar and independent work. Teaching profile: HYBRID 3, but the seminar meetings are not recorded; participation is only possible in real-time, either in person or online.

Accomplishment methods

Active participation in the seminar.

Content

The thesis seminar consists of a lecturers and workshops. The seminar supports the start of the thesis process. During the seminar, the student develops their research plan and starts writing the thesis. Towards the end of the seminar, the student has developed a draft of the theoretical and methodological part of the thesis. Data collection and analysis is done after the end of the seminar under the assistance of the supervisor.

Materials

Learning materials are gathered on the Moodle platform. The materials include recorded lectures, slides, and general articles on conducting academic research. Each student will search and gather literature that is relevant to their own thesis.

Teaching methods

Teaching in the thesis seminar consists of online lectures, materials in the Moodle platform, workshops (in person or online), and personal supervision. Despite the session on acedemic writing, online participation is possible throughout the thesis seminar.

The thesis seminar includes an orientation seminar (2 h) in May, an opening seminar (6 h) in September, and a final seminar (6 h) in December. The seminar workshops are divided into the following themes: literature review (3 h), academic writing (3 h), theory (3 h), and methodology and research ethics (3 h). The student and supervisor will also meet once in an individual meeting (0.5-1 h).

Between and during the seminar workshops, the student works independently by searching and reading relevant literature, developing a research plan, and writing the master's thesis. In the final seminar, the student presents the first draft of the introductory chapter of the thesis and has the role of an opponent to another student's work.

Employer connections

Possibility of writing the master's thesis in cooperation with a tourism stakeholder.

Student workload

Thesis seminar requires independent and long-term commitment to the chosen research task.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Fail: Written assignments have not been submitted, are superficial, or do not meet the task requirements. The student has not participated in seminar work or completed compensatory tasks for non-participation.

Pass: Written assignments meet the task requirements and demonstrate that the student can create a plan for their thesis. The student has participated in seminar work as required and has made independent progress on their research between seminars.

Qualifications

Supplementary studies
Methodological studies
TourCIM or Noto studies (recommended)

Further information

The main thesis supervisor is chosen based on the idea paper that the student submits before the opening seminar in September. During the thesis seminar, the student will write the first draft of the introductory chapter of the master's thesis and then continue to collect and analyse empirical material afterward. The supervisor helps the student develop and follow a research plan. The supervision continues with workshops throughout the Spring term.

Feedback from the course will be collected during the final seminar in December through a Moodle link. The feedback will enable supervisors to develop the course further.